ARTICLE I - NAME The name
of this organization shall be the U. S. Naval Academy, Alumni
Association, Connecticut Chapter,
hereafter called the CHAPTER.
ARTICLE II - RECOGNITION
The Chapter is recognized by the United States Naval Academy
Alumni Association, hereafter called the ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE III - AIMS
The aims of the Chapter are as follows:
1. To foster the interests of our Country, the Naval Service,
and the U. S. Naval Academy.
2. To perpetuate the friendships and associations formed by
the members through their common experience and interests in
the Naval Academy and the Naval Service, and to promote fraternal
feelings among the Naval Academy Alumni.
3. To interest and guide young men and women who desire a naval
career and who show promise of being a credit to the Naval Service.
4. To communicate the message of the Naval Academy to the area
alumni.
These aims are entirely patriotic, fraternal, and philanthropic,
and are not for the financial advantage of the Chapter or any
member.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Regular Members
Any person who has been sworn in and entered on the rolls as
a Midshipman for the full and regular course prescribed by the
Academic Board for his or her class at the Naval Academy, and
whose service has not been terminated under other than honorable
conditions, shall be eligible for membership in the Chapter upon
graduation of their class. He or she becomes a Regular Member
of the Chapter upon payment of the annual dues.
Associate Members
1. Widows or widowers of deceased Alumni shall be eligible for
membership in the Chapter as Associate Members with non-voting
privileges. Annual dues will be assessed.
2. Persons who have demonstrated active support of the Naval
Service, the Naval Academy, or the Naval Academy Alumni Association
may be invited to join the Chapter as Associate Members with
non-voting privileges. The number of Associate Members shall
not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Regular Members. Annual dues
will be assessed.
ARTICLE V - ADMINISTRATION
1. This Chapter shall operate as a not-for-profit organization
within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code and is organized exclusively to accomplish the Aims set
forth in ARTICLE III.
2. Responsibility for the management of the affairs of the Chapter
shall be vested in its Board of Directors, hereafter called the
BOARD, consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Communication Director, and Program Chairman elected
by the Chapter membership. The term of each will be for two years
and until their successors are duly elected and installed, commencing
on October 1 of the year for which elected. They may be re-elected
twice, but then must wait at least one term before being elected
to the same office again. The Board Members must be active Regular
Members of the Chapter as well as Regular Members of the National
Association.
3. The Board shall:
a. Conduct the business and activities of the Chapter consistent
with these By-laws.
b. Routinely report the affairs, activities, and financial status
of the Chapter to the Membership.
c. Select and appoint a Chapter Regular member to fill the unexpired
terms of any officer or Director, except the President whose
unexpired term shall be filled by the Vice President.
d. Conduct the meetings of the Board in accordance with Roberts
Rules of Order.
4. A majority of Board members shall constitute a quorum for
meetings. Questions shall be decided by majority vote of those
present. The presiding officer's vote shall be decided in case
of a tie.
ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
1. The President shall preside at meetings of the Chapter and
of the Board and shall provide leadership and direction to the
Chapter within the guidelines of the Bylaws. He shall appoint
standing committees, and any special committees that may be required.
2. The Vice President shall perform the duties normally associated
with that office and such duties as may be delegated to him by
the President. In case the President is unable to complete his
term, the Vice President shall become President.
3. The Secretary shall keep a current data base of the names,
addresses, and telephone numbers of Chapter members. He shall
keep a record of all meetings of the Chapter and maintain a file
of the minutes of Board meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible
for publishing and distributing the Chapter Newsletter.
4. The Treasurer shall receive all annual dues and other Chapter
funds and deposit them in a financial institution approved by
the board. He shall be signatory on the Chapter checking account
and will make disbursements as necessary in the best interest
of the Chapter. He shall maintain a record of receipts and expenditures
and make a financial report at the annual meeting and provide
quarterly reports to the members of the Board. Chapter financial
records in the Treasurer's custody shall at all times be subject
to inspection and verification by the Board. Expense reimbursement
requests must be accompanied by receipts for any amount over
$25.
5. The Communication Director shall be the Public Relations
and press representative of the Chapter. He shall also provide
timely submissions to Shipmate magazine for publicizing Chapter
activities.
6. The Program Chairman shall be responsible for scheduling
and organizing Chapter events and meetings. He shall ensure that
deposits and payments are completed in a timely fashion to restaurants
and suppliers for Chapter events.
7. Class representatives shall be designated by the President
as appropriate. Responsibilities shall include, but not be limited
to:
a. Serving as "greeters/host" during meeting social
hours.
b. Acting as telephone tree contacts for their respective classes.
c. Serving as At-large (non-voting) representatives to the board.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
1. At least three Chapter meetings will be held each year. The
last meeting of the fiscal year shall be the Annual Meeting and
will be used for the election of Officers and Directors, the
presentation of the Financial Report, and other chapter business.
2. Meetings of the Board will be called by the President as
required. At least one annual Board meeting will be held.
3. Meeting topics shall be items of interest to the Alumni of
the U. S. Naval Academy. Topics that should be avoided are those
of a political, religious, or controversial nature.
ARTICLE VIII - ELECTIONS
1. The President shall appoint a Committee of at least three
Regular Members by April 15 of each year to propose a slate for
the following fiscal year's Officers and Directors. The offices
of President, Secretary, and Communication Director shall be
elected during even years. The offices of Vice President, Treasurer,
and Program Chairman shall be elected during odd years.
2. The slate of the Committee shall be returned to the Board
by May 15. The slate of Candidates, any other business of the
Chapter requiring voting, and other nominations supported by
at least 10% of Regular Members shall be mailed by the Board
to the Membership by June 1. Voting shall occur at the Annual
Meeting. No nominations from the floor will be accepted at that
meeting.
3. Proxy voting shall not be permitted at any Chapter or Board
meeting.
ARTICLE IX - DUES
1. The amount of Chapter dues shall be set by the Board.
2. The annual dues for the calendar year shall become due on
January 1 of that year and shall be paid to the Treasurer.
3. A grace period until March 1 will be permitted before the
delinquent member is notified by the Treasurer. If payment is
not made by April 1, the member will be dropped from the rolls.
4. Any member who has been dropped for non-payment of dues,
may be reinstated by payment of the full amount.
5. New members moving into the state, after June 30, and joining
the Chapter shall be assessed at a reduced rate to be determined
by the Board.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended, repealed, or altered in whole
or in part by a two-thirds vote of the Members attending any
duly organized meeting of the Chapter, provided the proposed
changes have been submitted to the Board and to the Members at
least thirty days before the meeting.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of this Chapter, funds remaining
in the treasury after all obligations are paid shall be forwarded
to the Association as a donation to the Naval Academy Fund.
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